The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) members recently participated in the 2021 Public Speaking Finals at Magherafelt High School on 28th October.
The Public Speaking event saw members competing in the County Heats then progressing onto the Finals. The competition sought to find the best public speakers among the YFCU members in Northern Ireland.
The finals consisted of a prepared and impromptu section for each age group. The competitors delivered a pre-prepared and impromptu speech chosen from a specified list of topics.
The prepared topics included: Staycation or Vacation?, If I could interview anyone alive or dead it would be, University should be free, Lessons learnt from Covid, Are we taking climate change seriously?, Social media is having a negative impact on people’s mental wellbeing, The future of Auctioneering- is it in the ring or online, Great Leader(s), Farming has to change to meet new market demands and My favourite school subject.
The final impromptu topics were My role model, Things you can’t learn at school, Rural life is better than urban life and My biggest concern for the future
The judges at the final listened intently to over 100 speeches, and these were assessed according to platform manner, voice production, content and marshalling of facts. The judges were thoroughly impressed by a range of varied and entertaining speeches, thus having a difficult task due to the high standard presented.
Results:
12-14
3rd – Claire Fulton, Dungiven
2nd – Jack Orr, Kilraughts
1st – Isabella Gregg, Glarryford
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Claire Fulton, Isabella Gregg and Jack Orr
14-16
3rd – James Gregg, Glarryford
2nd – Naomi O’Neill, Rathfriland
1st – Philip Crawford, Seskinore
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with James Gregg & Philip Crawford. Absent from photo: Naomi O’Neill.
16-18 prepared
3rd – Fraser McComb, Lylehill
2nd – Stephanie Millar, Coleraine
1st – Allister Crawford, Seskinore
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Fraser McComb & Allister Crawford. Absent from photo: Stephanie Millar.
16-18 Impromptu
3rd – Jonathan Lemon, Ballywalter
2nd – Kerry Jamison, Kilraughts
1st – Rachel Sands, Annaclone & Magherally
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Jonathan Lemon, Kerry Jamison & Rachel Sands
18-21 Prepared
3rd – Joyce Allen, Moneymore
2nd – Helen Chapman, Hillhall
1st – James Currie, Kilraughts
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Joyce Allen, James Currie & Helen Chapman.
18-21 Impromptu
3rd – Sarah Ross, Collone
2nd – Alexis Kidd, Lisnamurrican
1st – Zoe Weir, Annaclone & Magherally
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Zoe Weir & Alexis Kidd. Absent from photo: Sarah Ross, Collone
21-25 Prepared
3rd – Thomas McNeill, Kilraughts
2nd – Alan Fleming, Cappagh
1st – Lucy McClintock, Kells & Connor
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Thomas McNeill & Alan Fleming. Absent from photo: Lucy McClintock
21-25 Impromptu
3rd – Hannah Shaw, Spa
2nd – Gareth Baird, Straid
1st – Adam Alexander, Kilrea
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Adam Alexander & Hannah Shaw. Absent from photo: Gareth Baird.
25-30 Prepared
3rd – Hannah Kirkpatrick, Kilraughts
2nd – Gemma Dickey, Randalstown
1st – Andrew Patton, Newtownards
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Hannah Kirkpatrick, Andrew Patton & Gemma Dickey
25-30 Impromptu
3rd – Ellen McMinn, Annaclone & Magherally
2nd – David Hodges, Moycraig
1st – Judith McKinley, Trillick & District
Photo Caption: Robert Caldwell, NFU representative with Judith McKinley & Ellen McMinn. Absent from photo: David Hodges
YFCU would like to thank the sponsor NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, the chairs, judges and trainers who helped throughout the competition and finally the YFCU members who took part.
